Getting into the wonderful world of weed-smoking can sometimes be confusing, especially when it comes to trying new methods of consumption. While learning to roll a joint is the first step for many marijuana users, it’s usually best to upgrade to a Bong or Pipe. These devices make it quick and easy to get a sensational high whenever you want and they’re also great for sharing with friends. However, you’ll need to learn how to pack a bowl first.
Packing a bowl isn’t difficult. Anyone can easily grind their weed, fill their bowl, and start enjoying the effects of Bong smoking. With that said, if you’re going to be using a Bong regularly, it helps to know some of the best tips for packing and lighting a satisfying bowl to get the most out of your weed. You’ll waste less weed, get better hits, and enjoy your Bong smoking experience much more.
While this guide focuses on Bong smoking, these tips also apply to Glass Pipes, Bubblers, and other similar smoking devices. No matter which kind of smoking accessory you prefer, you’ll learn how to pack your bowl to make for the most satisfying and sensational smoking sessions of your life. Here’s a beginner’s guide to Bong smoking and how to pack a bowl.
Step 1: Get The Equipment You Need
Before you can enjoy a top-notch smoking session, you’ll need to make sure that you have everything you need. As well as your handy smoking device, there are a few essential accessories you need to ensure that you can pack and light your bowl without any hassle. There are also a few optional accessories that can make the process a little more convenient.
The good thing about smoking a bowl is that you won’t need to waste any more money on rolling papers. Instead, you can buy a high-quality Bong for all your smoking needs. There are many types of Bongs, from compact Mini Bongs to huge Big Hitter Bongs and feature-packed Scientific Bongs. They also come in many colors and styles, so choose one that suits you and your preferences. Alternatively, you can buy a Pipe or a Bubbler if you want something smaller.
You should also buy a Grinder. Although you can get away with packing a bowl without having to grind your weed, having some finely-ground weed helps make for a smooth-burning bowl that won’t waste your buds too fast. Any Grinder will do from a simple two-piece Grinder to a fancy multi-chamber Grinder. Of course, it’s also essential to buy a Lighter or Matches to light your bowl.
While they’re not essential, you can buy Bowls and Downstems if you want to enhance your Bong. Bongs come with a Bowl already attached, but many of these are removable and allow you to add a bigger or better Bowl if you wish. You can also add accessories such as Ash Catchers to make your Bong hits smoother.
Step 2: Buy Some Of Your Favorite Weed
Once you have all the tools and accessories you need, the next step is to buy your favorite strain of weed. Stores and dispensaries now offer a huge range of marijuana strains, each of which has a unique appearance, smell, taste, and effects. However, while you might not be sure which particular strain to buy, it helps to know about the different types of strains.
Indica strains are the best strains for evening or nighttime use when you want an intensely soothing and tranquil high. These strains are known for helping you drift into a state of peaceful mindedness and physical relaxation, making it easy to forget about any worries while also easing any tension in your body. Be aware that they’ll often leave you couch-locked, hungry, and ready to sleep.
Sativa strains are known for producing the opposite effects. These strains are ideal if you’re looking for a surge of energy, focus, and motivation. They’re often used for wake-and-baking, although they can also be useful for picking you up throughout the day or even helping you with creative tasks. They can also help counteract mood problems and fatigue.
Hybrid strains are a good choice if you want a mix of both indica and sativa effects. They can give you a cerebral boost while simultaneously helping you relax and unwind. Each hybrid strain has a different genetic ratio, so some veer more towards indica or sativa whereas some are well balanced.
You don’t need to buy too much weed- even 3.5 grams is enough to pack a satisfying bowl, although some users might want to stock up for future smoking sessions. Make sure you follow your local laws and don’t exceed possession limits.
Step 3: Grind Your Weed Into Small Pieces
Just before you pack your bowl, you’ll need to do a little bit of preparation. If you’re using a Bong, you should make sure that you’ve filled the chamber with water. You should also make sure that you break your weed into small pieces so you can pack your bowl for a smooth and satisfying smoking session.
Trying to pack your bowl with one large nug of weed isn’t recommended. Although you can still inhale the smoke it produces, the hits won’t be as smooth or as potent as they could be, and you’ll waste too much of your weed. Instead, you need to cut it into smaller pieces for a bowl that burns nice and evenly.
The best way to break apart your buds for a satisfying bowl is to use a Weed Grinder. A Grinder can grind your buds into fine pieces quickly and easily. These can then be used to fill your bowl and they’ll burn nice and smoothly to give you the most amazing hits. You can also use scissors or even your hands if you don’t have a grinder.
Even if you use a Grinder, it’s best to break off a few slightly bigger pieces of weed and put them in the bottom of your bowl. This will ensure that you don’t suck tiny pieces of weed through the holes of your bowl, and the smaller cuts of weed will sit nicely on top.
Step 4: Pack Your Bowl Appropriately
Once you have all the equipment you need and some nice ground weed, it’s time to pack your bowl. You can add as much or as little weed as you want, although it’s best to fill the bowl generously if you want the best hits possible.
Many Bongs (as well as some other devices) have removable bowls. You might want to remove your bowl before you start packing it. This can make it easier to fill your bowl without it being at an awkward angle, although some users might find it easier to simply pack their bowl while it’s inside the device.
As mentioned before, you should use some slightly bigger chunks of weed at the bottom of your bowl. You can break these off your buds before you grind them to make a nice base. After that, you can put your ground weed on top to fill the bowl. You don’t want the bowl to overflow, but filling it almost to the top will make it easy to light as well as making for some smooth and satisfying hits.
After you’ve filled your bowl, you should press down lightly with your thumb. This will ensure that the weed is placed firmly within the bowl and that it doesn’t fall out. It’ll also ensure that your hits are filled with plenty of marijuana smoke. Once you’ve filled your bowl, it’s time to start enjoying a prime smoking session.
Step 5: Light Your Bowl And Enjoy the Experience
Packing a bowl is nice and easy, and smoking it is even easier. But while smoking a bowl of weed is as simple as lighting and inhaling, there are also a few tips you should use when it comes to lighting and smoking your bowl if you want to get the most out of your weed.
While many smokers make the mistake of lighting their bowl right in the middle, you should avoid this. This ends up burning far too much of your weed, leaving you with too many ashes and not enough fresh herbs. Instead, you should light one of the green edges of the bowl each time you take a hit until every corner has been used. This is especially important when smoking with friends, but can also help if you’re smoking alone.
As you light a bowl with your lighter, inhale slowly through the mouthpiece to fill your lungs with the smoke. You only need to hold your hit for a second- holding it for any longer doesn’t have any benefits. You can then exhale and take another hit when you’re ready until you’re satisfied with your high. You can also use matches or even light some hemp wick to light your bowl.
Once the fresh herbs in your bowl turn to white-burning ashes, you might want to empty a little with a collection tool so you can smoke more fresh weed. However, you shouldn’t fill your bowl with more fresh weed until it’s been emptied and cleaned.
Step 6: Empty And Clean Your Bowl
After smoking a satisfying bowl, it’s best to empty and clean your device. Leaving burnt herbs in your bowl can result in resin sticking to the glass, and bacteria can quickly build up inside your Bong as well. While a quick rinse can work well when you’re in a rush, it’s best to give your bowl or Bong a deeper clean to keep it in tip-top shape.
Start by quickly rinsing your Bong and bowl with hot water. This will wash away some of the dirt, and you can also use cotton buds or pipe cleaners to help with stubborn resin. Next, you’ll want to submerge your device in an appropriate cleaning solution.
Isopropyl alcohol is often used for cleaning Bongs, Pipes, and other glass devices. It’s great for sterilizing your equipment and it’s cheap and easy to find. You can also use Specialty Cleaners designed specifically for cleaning bowls and Pipes. Alternatively, you can use a mixture of hot water and soap.
Submerge your bowl in a container with your chosen cleaning solution for at least 15 minutes, although leaving it for longer is a good idea if it hasn’t been cleaned in a while. After it’s been thoroughly cleaned and sterilized, rinse it again, dry it with paper towels, and it should be as good as new.
Best Bongs To Buy
It’s easy to learn how to pack a satisfying bowl and it’s also much quicker than rolling a joint or packing a blunt. But first, you should invest in a high-quality device. You can buy Bongs online right here at Fat Buddha Glass and there are tons of different types to choose from. Here are some of the best Bongs to check out.
10” Rake Beaker Bong - This device is an excellent option for beginners and experienced Bong smokers alike. At 10 inches in length, it’s neither too big nor too small and will give you some incredibly satisfying hits without taking up too much space. It features a 14mm bowl that can pack plenty of weed and its curved design feels great in your hands, not to mention it looks stylish and colorful.
Lean Back Bong - The Lean Back Bong is a high-quality 10-inch device with various cool features. The 6 arm tree percolator with honeycomb will ensure that all your hits are exceptionally smooth and satisfying. It also has a curved mouthpiece, allowing you to lean back while you take some sensational hits.
Mini Wrap Rake Bong - If you need something a little more compact and convenient, the Mini Wrap Rake Bong will suit your needs. With its wide chamber, thick bowl, curved mouthpiece, and slick design, it’s an impressive device that’s more than capable of giving you powerful hits.
18” Quadruple Percolator Bong - With 4 percolators and a massive 18-inch length, this Bong is ideal for users who want the biggest, coolest hits possible. It also features an ice catcher, a thick mouthpiece, and an 18mm joint, making for an exceptionally enjoyable smoking experience.
Conclusion
Packing a bowl is quick, easy, and one of the best ways to enjoy smoking your favorite strains of weed. These tips will help you get the maximum potential out of your smoking sessions- all you need to do is buy the right equipment and enjoy the experience. You can find high-quality Bongs, Pipes, Bubblers, and all the smoking accessories you need at Fat Buddha Glass.
FAQs
Place it into the bowl and gently tamp it down with your finger, the flat end of a lighter, or a tamping tool. Don't pack it too tightly, otherwise you'll have difficulty pulling the smoke through the bowl and into the pipe. Overloading the bowl can also clog the hole at the bottom.
How do you smoke a bong for beginners? ›
Before you can smoke anything out of a bong, you need to fill it up with water and pack the bowl. From there you need to light the bowl and fill the smoke chamber with smoke. Then you can inhale. If you're just starting out, take it slow until you get more comfortable smoking out of a bong.
Should a bowl be tight or loose for a bong? ›
Pack the bowl, not too tight, not too loose.
Maybe throw a little bit bigger nug at the bottom so you don't inhale actual bits of pot. Then pack it 'til just under the brim. Key here is to pack not press.
Do you have to fully pack a bowl? ›
The perfect bowl is full but not packed too tightly, with weed covering the whole area of the bowl. If you pack too much weed, it blocks your airflow. So even if you think you're smoking everything you packed, the reality is that only a sliver of what you're burning is reaching your lungs.
What are the basics of a bong? ›
Often referred to generally as water pipes, a bong is a pipe that filters smoke through water. Bongs generally have four main parts: a mouthpiece to inhale through, a bowl to hold your herb, a downstem that connects the bowl to your water, and a chamber that holds that water (and, later on, smoke).
Is bong good for beginners? ›
Small bongs are good for beginners because they require less breath to inhale than larger pieces. However the bigger the bong, the more powerful the hit is. Larger bongs have better airflow due to their longer smoke chambers, which filter the smoke and reduce lung and throat irritation.
How do you prepare your lungs for a bong hit? ›
Before taking a big hit, take several deep breaths, using your diaphragm. This will open your lungs and put extra oxygen into your system, allowing you to endure the time it takes to take and hold the hit better. Start with slow, deep breaths, then a few rapid breaths just before the hit.
What is bong lung? ›
Cannabis is harmful to the lungs, but in a different way to tobacco, causing significant respiratory symptoms such as bronchitis with evidence to suggest it can result in destructive lung disease – sometimes referred to as 'bong lung' – in heavy cannabis users.
When should you clear a bong? ›
Clear the bong
When the bong is filled with smoke, you're ready to rip, clear the chamber, and inhale the smoke. Remove your thumb from the carb hole, or, if you have a bong without one, pull the stem out from the stem hole. Now, inhale the smoke from the chamber.
How do you make a bong hit less harsh? ›
Add Ice to It
Ice cools down this smoke, making it easier and smoother to inhale. Also, as the smoke moves through the bong, it also crosses the ice, which absorbs some heat. It might also help filter some impurities, making the smoke less harsh on your throat.
Filling a small bong
The amount of water needed in a bong is just enough to submerge the downstem into the water by a half inch. In a small bong, as long as the downstem is submerged, there is enough water.
How much should I pack my bowl? ›
Try to keep the top level of the bowl as level as possible. Furthermore, don't pack it so hard that no air can pull through, but don't pack it so lightly that even a single puff singes up and can't stay lit. You can test how well you've packed your bowl before setting it aflame.
What happens if you pack a bowl too loose? ›
To have a good time smoking weed, it's essential to know how to pack a bowl properly. Packing it too tightly can cause problems while packing it too loosely can result in all your weed blowing away. The smoothness of the smoke also depends on how well the bowl is packed.
What can smoking for the first time do? ›
First-time smokers often feel pain or burning in their throat and lungs, and some even throw up the first few times they try tobacco. Over time, smoking leads to health problems such as: heart disease. stroke.
What can I smoke in less than 3 hours? ›
🐮 Beef, Pork and Lamb. Beef | Grab any pack of beef at the store and you can smoke it. Most of them (if they are small enough) can be smoked in under 3 hours or even less like the Smoked Flank Steak.
How many hits should I take from a bowl? ›
if you load packed bowls into a standard pipe for smoking weed you should expect to get about 5 bowls. Each bowl will deliver probably in the range of 10 to 15 good tokes. If you got the icky sticky you may get more hits, but need less to get r...
What does snapping a bowl mean? ›
In conclusion, snap bowls are a technique for smoking weed that involves packing a bowl with just enough weed to take in one big hit.
What are the cons of smoking bong? ›
The Cons:
- They break easily since they're typically made from glass.
- They clog easily.
- They're a bit harsh on the throat and lungs since there's no filter.
- If you don't pack them right, you'll end up wasting weed.
The results showed that cannabis smoke from the bong produced four times the particulate matter as the smoke produced by tobacco. Measurements were taken after just 15 minutes of bong hits, and the smoke was already dense.
Which is better bong or blunt? ›
If you've ever sat in a debate surrounding bong vs. blunts, you know that avid smokers are fans of these two options. After all, they provide a more potent hit, leading to better highs. However, when it comes to clean hits, bongs still trumps blunts because there aren't any tobacco products burning alongside the weed.
When you inhale cannabis smoke, the sensory nerves in your airways produce a cough reflex. This is your body's way of protecting against irritating substances. It's a normal response that occurs when you inhale any kind of smoke. Scientists are still learning how cannabis smoke affects the lungs.
What causes popcorn lungs? ›
Popcorn lung (bronchiolitis obliterans) is an uncommon type of lung disease, but it is not cancer. It's caused by a build-up of scar tissue in the lungs, which blocks the flow of air. A possible link has been suggested between the disease and a chemical called diacetyl.
What does a bong do for your health? ›
However, using a bong can reduce the number of harmful chemicals and toxins inhaled. The bong's water filters out some toxins and cools the smoke, making it less harsh on the lungs. Additionally, the smoke is diffused through the water, breaking it into smaller particles, making it easier to inhale.
Does ice in a bong help your lungs? ›
As it turns out, using ice to cool smoke actually does far more harm than good. Smoking from an 'ice bong' has actually led to hospitalization in some cases. CAN USING ICE CUBES TO COOL SMOKE CAUSE BRONCHITIS? Using ice cubes to cool smoke has caused bronchitis along with a long list of other lung-related issues.
How long should I hold in bong? ›
Hold it in (if you can!)
Try to hold in the smoke for two to three seconds before blowing it out. Don't be afraid to cough, it happens to the best of us. At this point, you're probably wondering exactly how long to wait between bong hits. At a minimum, you'll want to wait a few minutes.
Does clearing a bowl get you higher? ›
No. A bong just cools the water. If youre taking the full hit in either a bong or bowl(which i assume you mean a pipe) then you should get the exact same dosage and similar high if you hit it all at once.
Should I clean my bong after every smoke? ›
Both experts suggest cleaning your bong or pipe once a week. “A lot of connoisseurs clean their bong every day,” says Reyna. “If you want to keep it clean and prevent things like this, just dump the water when you are done using your bong every single time and clean it anyway.”
Should I tilt my bong when I hit it? ›
Only fill until the end of the downstem is just covered by the water, and won't emerge if you tilt the bong when smoking. This prevents water from travelling up the downstem and ruining your bowl – or splashing into your mouth when taking big hits.
How long should you wait between bong hits? ›
If you're going for a steady buzz, I find it takes around 15 minutes for the first of the buzz to come on, I let that ride for a while and maybe 10 minutes later take another toke.
What is the best water to put in a bong? ›
And it leads to a happier bong: Because distilled water is free of minerals, your glass will stay cleaner after prolonged use. Even home-filtered water is better than tap, but any form of drinking water will spot your glass eventually.
While using Gatorade instead of bong water is a good idea as far as flavor goes, make sure you clean your Bong afterward. Unlike some other bong water alternatives, Gatorade is packed with sugar and may end up staining your glass if you leave it for too long.
How many times can you use the same bong water? ›
Nothing wrong with staying clean, but unless you're burning more than a quarter-ounce every day, changing the water once every 24 hours is more than enough.
How often should I empty bong water? ›
Always use fresh water each time you break out your bong or pipe. At the bare minimum, daily consumers should change their bong water every two to three days.
Why is my bowl not pulling? ›
COLD WATER OR FREEZE
Heat can evaporate liquids and loosen gunk, white cold can cause the glass to contract making more room in the joint. It's been said that sometimes just tossing yourbeaker base into the freezer for an hour then trying to gently pull out the bowl or downstem could be all you need to do.
How do I know when my bowl is done? ›
Bud has a lot of air in it, and as it turns to ash, you can compress it more and more. Once you can't push it down anymore, you're done.
How do you pack a bowl like a pro? ›
After breaking the bud up by hand, it's time to do the packing. Throw one of the more significant bits in the bottom to act as a screen, layer the rest on top, and then gently push down on the entire bowl. Using a light touch is critical to success when packing a bowl like this.
Can you leave a bowl packed overnight? ›
Leaving a bowl of tobacco out for a while (even overnight) is going to have far less impact on the pipe than on the tobacco. Aside from the inside of the bowl (which normally will have some cake/residue on it anyway), the whole rest of the pipe can "breathe" normally.
Should I pack my pipe tight? ›
If you've filled your pipe properly, the inhalation should feel like sucking soda through a straw. If it feels like an empty straw, you've packed the pipe too loosely; If there is any resistance, it's packed too compactly. You should dump out the tobacco and start over.
How do you smoke a bowl like a pro? ›
Take A Hit
Now, to properly hit it, keep your thumb firmly planted over the bowl while you're lighting it. Inhale a little while the carb is blocked, then remove your thumb. Continuing pulling it in until you feel it in your lungs. If you really want to get super-duper high, hold the hit in for a few seconds.
Do you need to grind to smoke a bowl? ›
You do not need to grind your weed into a powder to smoke a bowl. It just needs to be small enough to cover a good surface area, and then it can be pushed down with the thumb.
Light the bowl with a lighter or match and inhale from the mouthpiece. If the bowl has a carb, cover it with your finger as you light it and first inhale. This will cause the smoke to build up in the pipe. After that, lift your finger off the carb to "clear" the pipe and inhale the smoke into your lungs.
How do you pack a bowl for the best high? ›
After breaking the bud up by hand, it's time to do the packing. Throw one of the more significant bits in the bottom to act as a screen, layer the rest on top, and then gently push down on the entire bowl. Using a light touch is critical to success when packing a bowl like this.
Do you grind before bong? ›
If you haven't already, it's time to grind up your weed. Before you can fill your bong's bowl, you'll need this step taken care of. However, it's totally fine if you already got this step out of the way before you got started!
How many grams do you need to smoke a bowl? ›
While the amount of weed in the average bowl depends entirely on the device's size, most bowls fit 1-4 grams of flower. You want to avoid overpacking your bowl, halting airflow through your piece. You can always add more marijuana to your bowl later if you need to consume more.
Do you smoke a pipe to the bottom of the bowl? ›
Taking long, slow draws will help to form a good, even cake. It is important to smoke the pipe to the bottom to establish the cake all the way to the bottom. The cake at the bottom of the bowl is the most difficult to develop and this is why such care must be taken in the breaking in process.
What happens if you don't clean your smoking bowl? ›
As smoke passes through a dirty pipe, it collects that residue and actually affects the flavor of the flower. So you might not get the same taste as you would if it were a cleaned piece. The smoking experience won't have all the terpenes and characteristics that premium flower normally has.
What to do with a bowl after you smoke? ›
The easiest way to do this is directly into a trash can. Simply tip your bowl over the trash can and gently tap it against your hand or the side of the trash can until the ash falls out of your bowl. This is the simplest and best way to clean a bowl.
How do I clean my bowl for smoking? ›
Instructions
- Fill the pipe with isopropyl alcohol and salt. Use about a teaspoon of salt per four inches of pipe, then fill it almost all the way with alcohol. ...
- Shake the pipe. Plug the holes with your fingers and give it a vigorous shake, up to 2 minutes. ...
- Pour the mixture out. ...
- Soak the piece. ...
- Let it dry.
The amount of water needed in a bong is just enough to submerge the downstem into the water by a half inch. In a small bong, as long as the downstem is submerged, there is enough water.
How much does 1 bowl hold? ›
What is the size of a standard bowl? The size of a standard bowl holds between 8 to 12 ounces on average. The 3 basic types of bowls include the soup bowl that may or may not have handles, finger bowls that are used to rinse the fingertips of the user, and the ramekins which are meant to hold solid foods.
